a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step »
even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point
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a picture paints a thousand words »
A visualisation is a better description than a verbal description.1971, David Gates (of Bread), If, from Manna album:If a picture paints a thousand wordsThen why can't I paint you;The words will never showThe you I've come to know.1989, Alan Kay, quoted in K?o-tung Huang, Timothy D. Huang, Introduction to Chinese, Japanese and Korean Computing, World Scientific, ISBN 9971506645, p. 9:Most human beings, no matter how familiar they are with abstract symbols, respond to voice and images better than written language. In other words, A picture paints a thousand words.2006, Paul Shakespeare, Building a Dune Buggy: The Essential Manual, ISBN 1904788734, p. 52:See accompanying diagram: a picture paints a thousand words, and all that!
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accident waiting to happen »
A thing or situation which is almost certain to eventually lead to an accident.
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all in all »
Generally; for the most part; mostly.
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almost doesn't count »
Near success (or correctness) is not deemed success (or correctness).
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an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with terms so attractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
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an offer one can't refuse »
An offer from one side in any transaction with the results of failing to accept so unattractive that the other side is almost guaranteed to accept.
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as a rule »
In general; most often.
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at best »
In the most favorable of conditions; at the most.
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at the best of times »
At most.
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bawdy basket »
The twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing.
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be-all and end-all »
Something considered to be of the utmost importance; something essential or ultimate.
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best of the bunch »
The best or most preferred person or item within a group.
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big boys »
The people or bodies with the most influence and/or power.
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big gun »
Someone who is powerful or influential most often in plural form.
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boil down »
As an allusion to the cooking technique of reducing liquids by heat, one boils down a problem, argument, etc. to its most central elements.
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bottom line »
The summary or result; the most important information; the upshot; the net-net.
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bottom of the line »
The worst, the most lackluster, or lowest quality currently on the market, especially among selections in a product line.
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boys will be boys »
It is hard, often fruitless, to attempt to curb the natural playfulness and tendency to mischief of most growing boys.1922, James Joyce, Ulysses Chapter 13But just then there was a slight altercation between Master Tommy and Master Jacky. Boys will be boys and our two twins were no exception to this golden rule.Even grown men usually remain somewhat boyish in heart"Boys will be boys", grinned grandpa while he joined his adult son playing with the fancy train-set he gave his grandson for Christmas while the kid was in school.
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breadwinner »
The member of a household who earns all or most of the income
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by and large »
Mostly, generally; with few exceptions.
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camel through the eye of a needle »
Hyperbole to illustrate that something is almost impossible to do or to happen.
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carpe diem »
seize the day, make the most of today, enjoy the present
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carpe diem cras »
seize the day tomorrow, make the most of tomorrow
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chalkface »
A musical concept or genre in which music is completely improvised and never played twice. Most often mixing elements of hip-hop, metal, punk and avant-garde jazz.
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cherry-pick »
To pick out the best, or most desirable items from a list or group, especially to obtain some advantage or to present something in the best possible light.
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close, but no cigar »
That's almost correct, but not quite.
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cream of the crop »
The best or most desirable among some selection.
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death by spellcheck »
The problems caused by spellcheckers being incapable of correcting most homophone confusions.
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do one's damnedest »
To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.
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do one's darnedest »
To do one's utmost; to make every effort or to try every possible approach or way.
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empty vessels make the most sound »
noisy, opinionated people are often stupid.
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even Homer nods »
Not even the most vigilant and expert are immune from erring.
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every cloud has a silver lining »
In every bad situation there is an element of good1881, National Academy of Code Administration (U.S.), Folio, page 417:Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation...1887, Shakers, Religion, page 36:that "a little reserve and thou'lt fail surely," will prove to be true in our experience. Every cloud has a silver lining and so has every sorrow,1918, George Jean Nathan, Performing Arts, page 222:But the most popular attitude toward what we may call "sad" plays is the peculiar one of believing that, since every cloud has a silver lining,
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everybody and their brother »
A large number of people; most people.
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everyone and their brother »
A large number of people; most people.
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everything but the kitchen sink »
Almost everything, whether needed or not.
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experience is the best teacher »
Lessons learned from experience are the most lasting.
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fat of the land »
The greatest part of anything; the finest and most abundant share of resources; the cream of the crop.
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for the most part »
Mostly; in general; usually.
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front runner »
The most likely winners in a contest, election, etc.
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full tilt boogie »
At the most extreme level.
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hair-splitting »
The act of finding exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.
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hair-splittingly »
With exceedingly small differences which are probably neither important nor noticeable to most people.
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hard pressed »
Having or likely to have difficulty or to find a task almost impossible.
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honesty is the best policy »
Honesty is the most honorable and fulfilling way to live one's life.
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in the driver's seat »
Having the most important role in a storyline or recognition. Of primary importance.
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just about »
Almost.
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law of the jungle »
The survival of the fittest, strongest or most cunning.
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make the most of »
To profit as much as possible from.
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managerial inbreeding »
Bad management, caused by managers making poor selection choices in recruitment, rewards, and promotions of the staff that report to them, leading to another generation of managers who lack the necessary skill sets to reward and promote the most effective staff.
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next to »
Almost; nearly.
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not quite »
Almost, very nearly.
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not worth a plug nickel »
Having no or almost no value; worthless.
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number one »
First; foremost; best.
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on the whole »
For the most part; apart from some insignificant details.
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out of the woods »
Out of peril; likely to recover or prevail over trouble; finished with the worst or most threatening part of a problem or illness.
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outshout »
To merit the most attention or praise.
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pi%C3%A8ce de r%C3%A9sistance »
A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime..
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piece de resistance »
A masterpiece; the most memorable accomplishment of one’s career or lifetime..
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pop off »
To release flatulence, in most cases, in short rapid succession.
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potter about »
To potter, to be gently active doing various things in an almost aimless manner.
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potter around »
To potter, to be gently active doing various things in an almost aimless manner.
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pre-war »
Describing the most recent or significant war in a culture's history.
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proverbs run in pairs »
Every proverb seems to be contradicted by another proverb with an opposed message, such as "too many cooks spoil the broth" and "many hands make light work."1863, Sir Richard Burton, Abeokuta and the Camaroons Mountains, vol. 1, Tinsley (London), p. 309:Moreover, all the world over, proverbs run in pairs, and pull both ways: for the most part one neutralizes, by contradiction, the other.
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put one's best foot forward »
To show oneself in the best or most positive way possible; to make a favorable impression.
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quote unquote »
Emphasizes the following word or phrase for irony, as used almost exclusively in spoken language.
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road to Damascus »
That was my Road to Damascus moment. They played one hit after another and this is the song I remember most clearly.
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roll out the red carpet »
To extend the utmost hospitality; to treat someone as an honored guest; to welcome or host, especially in a showy or extravagant manner.
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seize the day »
To make the most of today by achieving fulfillment in a philosophical or spiritual sense.
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shotgun »
A one-story dwelling with no hallways or corridors, with the rooms arranged in a straight line. Mostly heard in the southern United States.
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skeleton crew »
The minimum number of personnel needed to operate and maintain an item at its most simple operating requirements, such as a ship or business, during an emergency or shut down, and at the same time, to keep vital functions operating.
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slippery as an eel »
So slippery that it is almost impossible to hold with one's hands.
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squeaky wheel gets the grease »
The person who complains or speaks up most loudly receives the redress or attention which he or she seeks.
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suck hind tit »
To be the youngest or most neglected child.
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take one's eye off the ball »
To lose one's concentration on what is most important.
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the bee's knees »
Most excellent; surpassingly wonderful; cool.
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the long and short of it »
The gist; the essence or substance; the most important or salient features; said of a summary or digest.
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there's no place like home »
one feels the most comfortable at home
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throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick »
Try the same thing (or similar things) often enough, and, even if the general standard is poor, sometimes one will be successful.2001, And still no one is shouting stop. read in The Kingdom archives at [1] on 02 Nov 06,Many team managers are of the philosophy that if you throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick. They believe that team preparation is all about physical fitness. They run the players into the ground and they believe they will be "flying on the day".2001, Robert McCrum, Let them eat cake, in The Observer 16 Dec 01, read on Guardian Unlimited site at [2] on 02 Nov 06,Australian publishing boomed and in the past 10 years the country's literary culture has undergone a mini golden age, capped by Carey's triumph at the 2001 Booker Prize. As one Australian arts administrator said to me many years ago: 'Listen, mate, if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.'2001, Chris Collin, Re: 2-cp speys on The Strathspey Server mailing list archive at [3] on 02 Nov 06,I am finding that "if you throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick". It doesn't always work of course (especially on the nights when the class is mostly the beginners), but the class seems to thrive on the challange.2005, Ray Craft (poster on The right scale blog), Fitzhooie and his Burden, read at [4] on 02 Nov 06,Prosecutors everywhere have bad habits of overcharging lots of cases, knowing that if the throw enough mud at the wall some of it will stick.2005, Sean Kelleher, Spike Milligan: His part in our downfall in Business 07 Aug 05, read at [5] on 02 Nov 06,As long as there is negligible regulation and enforcement anyone can actually try and do the job...Weak regulation allows the industry to build strategies on full time recruitment. The theory goes: throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick.c2005, Everything You've Learned About Marketing Is Wrong, read on LINC Performance website at [6] on 02 Nov 06,They have the money to continue to believe in the repetition side of the equation. You throw enough mud at the wall, some of it will stick. But it still isn
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up a creek without a paddle »
In a difficult situation, without any help. Superlative form of up a creek: most up a creek.
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upper crust »
The topmost layer of a bread, pastry dish, or other item with a hardened coating.
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wee small hours »
The very early morning, just after midnight, when most people are asleep.
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when it's at home »
Plainly; in plain English; when it comes down to it; at it's most basic level.
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will on »
To wish intensely that someone succeeds in what they are doing. Often implies a silent, or almost inaudible wish.
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you can't teach an old dog new tricks »
It is impossible, or almost impossible, to change people's habits or traits or mindset.
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| BTW, Why won't you become an editor? |
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